Editorial: Oil's impact lingers

Two items on Wednesday's Local news page caught our attention: Kimberly Blair's report that more than 450 pounds of oil was collected and removed in 10 days; and a news conference and panel discussion scheduled for today to discuss how to spend oil-spill money headed our way.

The items are a stark reminder there is still much to do in Northwest Florida three years after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The area's economy and environment took a big hit that summer and continues to recover.

The oil that was found this month was one large tar mat just offshore, Blair reported. We continue to demand that any oil found locally be removed. BP should foot the bill for the search, cleanup and removal. We hope BP continues to be true to its word and makes us whole again, especially when oil comes ashore.

While those of us who enjoy the sugar-white beaches want to make sure they are free of tar mats and tar balls, there are others equally focused on how to spend money BP will pay for the oil-spill disaster. In Escambia County, that money could be as much as $100 million. In Santa Rosa, it could be as much as $45 million. Both counties have wisely organized committees to make recommendations to the their respective commissioners on what to do with the money.

We have long discussed the need for local input and local leaders to make the decisions on what's best for the money. It will not benefit Northwest Florida to have those decisions made in Tallahassee or Washington. Our people know what's best. After all, we experienced the immediate impact of the spill and the fallout that continues.

While the committees undertake this task, public input remains vital. That's why it's encouraging to see today's panel discussion which focuses on coastal restoration. Panelists include Escambia County Commissioner Grover Robinson IV. Not only did he take a lead role in helping the county cope with the spill and its aftermath, he's the chairman of the consortium of Florida counties that have joined to help the state recover.

In addition to a discussion on how money can and should be used to restore the Gulf Coast ecosystem, there will be information about the National Wildlife Federation's new report "Restoring a Degraded Gulf of Mexico: Wildlife and Wetlands Three Years into the Gulf Oil Disaster."

The anniversary of the oil spill is Saturday. Though it has taken nearly three years, the oil that reached Northwest Florida is being cleaned up. However there is a lot of work to be done.

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News Journal Editorial Board

• Terry Horne, President and Publisher

• Kim Thomas, Deputy Managing Editor/Interim Executive Editor

• Tom Ninestine, Opinion Editor

• Andy Marlette, Editorial Cartoonist

• J. Earle Bowden, Editor Emeritus

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Editorial: Oil's impact lingers

Oil continues to be found off shore here, nearly three years after the BP oil spill.